Real Estate Blog of Benjamin Esposito

A house is the largest purchase that you may ever make. The rewards of buying a house are plenty. Lives are joined, futures forged and incredible memories are created inside a house, especially if it’s a house that you love and end up living in for decades. Coming up with the money to buy a house then fund repairs and upgrades can be a challenge. Fortunately, you don’t have to keep struggling. Following are 10 money saving tips that could help lower, if not remove, financial pressures associated with homeownership.

Test outlets before you call an appliance repair professional. Your refrigerator, microwave or television may have stopped working because one or more electrical outlets are out. Hit the reset button on outlets that have them. You’ll generally find these outlets in the kitchen and bathroom. If that doesn’t work, check the breaker. Then, plug a lamp into the outlet. If the lamp works, call a repair professional to come and check out the appliance.

Keep heat in during winter / out during summer. Do this by filling gaps beneath windows and doors during cold months. For example, you could place a rug beneath exterior doors. You could also self-adhesive foam to the bottom of windows and to gaps at the sides of doors and place plastic window frame covers on windows during cold months.

Inspect and clean gutters to keep your roof healthy. Remove leaves and other debris from down sprouts. Flush gutters clean with a water hose. It’s recommended that you clean your gutters twice a year. Stay clear of power lines.

Check for mold at the edges of your windows, beneath sinks and other areas where water can collect. Mold could be a sign that you have a water leakage. Tighten pipes were you see mold developing. Leaks sealed, put on a pair of gloves and scrub mold away from surfaces, using a blend of water and bleach.

Turn off the main water valve if you’re going to be away from home for several days. This single step could save you hundreds in homeownership on money spent on leaks or flooding.

Keep the thermostat at 68 degrees to save on utility bills. During warmer months, consider installing a ceiling fan. It helps to keep air circulating across a wider range of space.

Burglar proof your home by installing edge guards to door locks. Double cylinder dead bolt locks and keyless and smartphone operated locks are good. For extra security, you could install a door jammer. Also, lock windows. Installing an alarm system, particularly an alarm system that lets you see inside your home while you’re away, is another security step that you could take. Trim hedges and bushes to eliminate spots around your home that burglars could hide behind. Turn on house, garage and roof lights at night. Although nothing may work 100% at keeping burglars out, there are steps that you can take to slow burglars down or to make them think more than twice before they try to enter your home.

Combine or bundle homeowners insurance with auto, life and other insurance packages. Check with several companies that offer homeowners insurance and other insurance lines to see the types of discounts each offers before you settle on a multi-policy plan.

Let laundry dry naturally. Hang clothes outside when weather permits. You could also hand wash delicates and let them dry naturally on hangers that you place over a shower rod.

Create and stick to a budget to get the most out of money saving tips. Include entertainment, groceries, homeownership repairs, homeowners insurance and any homeowners association fees in the budget.